54 Select Plants for Industrial Culture and 



Aristolochia Indica, Linne. 



Tropical Asia, North-Eastern Australia and Polynesia. A peren- 

 nial climber; the leaves famed as an alexipharmic. Can only be 

 grown in places free from frost. 



Aristolochia recurvilabra, Hance. 



The green " Putchuck " of China. A medicinal plant, largely 

 obtained at Nin^po. The present value of its local export is from 

 20,000 to 30,000 annually. 



Aristolochia serpentaria, Linne. 



The " Snake-root." South-Eastern States of North- America. 

 The root of this trailing herb is valuable in medicine ; it contains a 

 peculiar volatile oil. Therapeutically the plant belongs to the 

 aromatic-bitter restorative agents, and is particularly a tonic excitant. 

 Serpentaria-root is now largely obtained from A. reticulata (Nuttall). 

 Several other Aristolochia} deserve culture for medicinal purposes, 

 for instance, Aristolochia ovalifolia (the Guaco) and A. anguicida, 

 from the mountains of Central America. 



Aristotelia Macqui, L'Heritier. 



Chili. The berries of this shrub, though small, have the pleasant 

 taste of bilberries, and are largely consumed in Chili [Philippi]. The 

 plant would thrive in mild forest-valleys. It is quite hardy in South- 

 Ireland. 



Arnica montana, Linne. 



Colder parts of Europe and Western Asia. This pretty herb is 

 perennial and of medicinal value. It is particularly eligible for sub- 

 alpine regions. Hardy in Norway to lat. 62 47' [Schuebeler]. The 

 active principles are arnicin, a volatile oil, caproic and caprylic acids. 

 Snuff can be prepared from this plant. The flowers can only in 

 small quantities be used, as incautious doses of this medicine produce 

 toxic symptoms; it stimulates the salivary glands, promotes the cir- 

 culation, cerebral, cutaneous and renal action. Externally applied 

 as an excitant. 



Arracacha xanthorrhiza, Bancroft. 



Mountain-regions of Central America. A perennial umbelliferous 

 herb. The root is nutritious and palatable. There are yellow, 

 purple and pale varieties, which are kept up by division of the 

 roots. 



Artemisia Abrotanum, Linne. 



Countries at the Mediterranean Sea. A very odorous shrub, 

 known as " Southern Wood." The foliage used in domestic medi- 

 cine, also as condiment. The plant is easily grown from cuttings. 



